LYNN — Superintendent of Schools Dr. Evonne Alvarez presented her five-year District Strategic Plan to the school committee, which has the purpose of identifying the district’s priorities of expanding opportunities and academic outcomes for its diverse student population.
“It is a living document, which means we will continuously seek out feedback and continue to refine it as we navigate through that five-year period,” Alvarez said.
She said the plan is also a reflection of numerous stakeholders including district staff, school committee members, family caregivers, survey respondents, the superintendent’s cabinet, interviews, and focus groups.
She described the plan as something that “grounds itself in equity,” in which the plan’s creators were asked to identify how individual biases, mindsets, and prior experiences can help or harm the district’s pursuit of it.
The district has “arrived at a common definition of equity,” and is seeking to ensure students have what they need to access learning, Alvarez added.
“It is not a one size fits all education,” she said.
The plan articulates the profile for a graduate from the district — a critical thinker, problem solver, engaged community member, effective communicator and leader, and empowered to design their own path.
The plan also emphasizes the need for educators to be diverse, qualified, well-resourced, and supported to serve its students with the objective being that students grow intellectually and vocationally so they may exceed beyond grade-level in reading, math, science, and social studies.
It also emphasizes the goal for students to possess biliteracy, multilingualism, and the social emotional skills to be globally competitive, as well as for students, staff, and families to feel a place of belonging and inclusion in the district, as well as to close equity gaps.
“We are already working with our departments to develop initiatives under each indicator to not only have a plan, but to progress monitor to make sure we reach those goals,” Alvarez said.
The summary of the District’s Strategic Plan can be accessed on the Lynn Public Schools website,
